Joey Swoll, a familiar name in the fitness milieu, recently took to YouTube, offering a candid look into his past battles with drug addiction and the road to personal evolution. This raw disclosure aimed not just to share but to motivate others navigating similar challenges.
Pioneering Positive Change in the Gymnasium
Harnessing his significant online influence, Swoll is on a mission: transforming gym culture. By challenging pervasive ‘toxic’ attitudes, he seeks to curate a more nurturing environment for fitness enthusiasts. His advocacy doesn’t stop there. Swoll emerges as a bulwark against those who bully or deride others, especially when these actions aim to garner views or attention online.
Swoll’s Early Love for Bodybuilding
A Reflection Diving into bodybuilding at an impressionable age, Swoll was consumed by a passion for the sport. However, his retrospective journey, particularly during a conversation with Flex Lewis, reveals an undercurrent of dissatisfaction. Despite his fervor, Swoll felt he never achieved the accolades he had aspired to, hinting at foundational lapses in his bodybuilding approach.
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“To be successful as a bodybuilder at any level, first off if I’m gonna do something I’m gonna do something to win…If I’m gonna do a show I’m gonna do a show. I’m gonna take gear, I’m gonna prep right, I’m gonna do everything right. And I want to, I want people to not want to stand next to me on stage. I wanna embarrass everybody on stage. You know what I mean? Like I wanna go up to the best to win. You don’t wanna do it just to do it.”
Swoll’s Decision: Choosing Diverse Ventures Over Long-term Commitment
Recognizing the longevity and dedication bodybuilding demands, Joey Swoll faced a crossroads. Balancing this against his plethora of other pursuits, Swoll made a calculated decision: he would pivot, directing his energies to the myriad of ventures that beckoned him.
“You gotta dedicate six months to a year to do this right so, with that like you have to be very selfish and I just over the past 10-12 years whether its taking care of my parents, my family, building businesses, I wasn’t able to give the time and selfishness that requires to be as successful as I want to be.
For me I still consider myself to be a bodybuilder even though I haven’t competed in 10+ years. I love the gym, I love to train, it’s my second home” Joey Swoll said.
Joey Swoll: Advocating for Gym Reform Amidst Social Media’s Double-Edged Sword
Joey Swoll’s fervor for reshaping gym culture is undeniable. As an observant player in the fitness realm, he’s witnessed the transformative – and occasionally disruptive – power of social media on the industry. While his endeavors are driven by genuine intent to uplift and reform, the vast and varied internet audience occasionally casts a skeptical eye, questioning the authenticity of Swoll’s mission.
“Man I get people that send me hundreds of videos every day and tag me in hundreds of videos every day of this negative bullying culture, like do you know what that does to me mentally to sit here all day and see that? Like I wish I never had to do another single video.
Like the day that comes that I don’t have to do another video because people are acting right in the gym and treating people the way they should au revoir man. I’ll ride off into the sunset happy like I don’t do this stuff because I want like I said the views or the attention I’m glad that it does because it brings awareness,” Swoll shared.
Joey Swoll on Social Media: The Unseen Emotional Toll
Joey Swoll, a prominent figure in the fitness arena, recently delved into the more shadowy aspects of social media. Swoll expresses deep concern about the platform’s role in shaping individuals’ coping mechanisms, particularly in relation to anxiety, depression, and a gamut of other emotions. He critiques the current digital landscape, suggesting that many have become dependent on social media for fleeting moments of gratification, likening it to a “cheap dopamine rush”, and cautioning about its long-term psychological implications.
“This is my problem with social media, and I don’t say this in terms of trying to attack people. I say this because I want to help people and I really mean this. Society today is people, especially in these young men and women, and I’ll say women because I think women have it harder in this sense.
They equate their self worth, their self love to their likes, their views and the attention they get on social media. They can be in a house full of a loving family, great friends, people that adore them, but they are so concerned about that dopamine rush, about that high, about that gratification they get from social media that’s how they see themselves as bring somebody that has value.”
Even Joey Swoll Feels the Allure: The Universal Pull of Social Media
In the vast realm of social media, where notifications and likes can dictate moods, no one is entirely resistant. Even Joey Swoll, with his wide-reaching influence and candid discussions on the platform’s pitfalls, confesses to the undeniable draw. The dopamine-induced buzz from an influx of online engagement is universal, highlighting the ubiquitous nature of the digital age’s challenges.
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“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve fallen down that rabbit hole too where listen I put a post up and it gets a lot of engagement where I’m flexing or I’m in the gym and people are like ‘does it feel good?’ ya it feels good! But to do this at other people’s expense to get those likes to get those views all for what man? So you can feel good for a couple hours until the next video goes viral and everybody forgets about you and that person’s life is destroyed, that person’s life is destroyed, that person doesn’t ever want to go to the gym again.”
Joey Swoll’s Raw Revelation: From Drug Addiction to a Desperate suicide Moment
In a candid and deeply personal discussion, Joey Swoll unveils the harrowing journey he traversed through drug addiction’s throes. This battle, Swoll painfully discloses, once pushed him to the brink of despair, culminating in a suicide attempt. His courageous sharing underscores the profound intersections of addiction and mental health struggles, shedding light on the fragility even the most robust among us can experience.
“I was going through a lot of battles business-wise, personal relationships, and I got to a point, I remember a night I was sitting at my place, completely by myself, and I was just like, ‘Fuck it man, what’s the point? I’m done. I’ve had a great life. I’m sick of this. I’m sick of feeling like… you know, I give and I give and I give… and there’s nobody there for me when I need them.”
“A lot of people turn their backs on me, a lot of people have put knives in my back. I was just tired. I remember I put a post up that night, saying, ‘Hey, if I ever die young, just know I lived a great life. Don’t mourn me. Celebrate my life.’ I wrote this long basically suicide note.”
“Had a beer in my hand, took every pill I had… then my phone rings. It’s my mom crying. What’s wrong, something’s wrong, I just saw your post. ‘Mom, I’m fine, it’s just a post, I don’t mean anything by it.’ My mom says ‘I know something is wrong, you’re not yourself.’ She had no idea what I was going through as far as the drugs and stuff.”
Joey Swoll’s Redemption: A Candid Conversation with Flex Lewis
In an intimate dialogue with Flex Lewis, Joey Swoll took a moment to reflect upon his transformative journey. Moving past the shadows of addiction and despair, he candidly shared the strides he’s made towards personal growth. Swoll’s revelations offer a testament to resilience and the potential for positive change, illuminating the path from life’s darkest corners to renewed hope and betterment.
“It’s been incredible. My advice to people would be like I said, one day at a time. I understand you can feel like you’re in a prison. I can understand that it feels like there’s no hope but if you try to win the day, that builds up. That was the biggest thing with me. That was my mentality.
Build up a string of days where you’re having good days where you’re not doing it and get yourself off. That became my path. That was how I achieved getting clean and really anything that I’ve done,” said Joey Swoll.
Joey Swoll: An Emblem of Resilience and Change in Fitness Culture
Joey Swoll’s transformative journey is not just a personal victory; it serves as a beacon for many grappling with substance abuse. His endeavors in the fitness world, particularly his push to combat toxic gym culture, have not gone unnoticed. Among those impressed is the iconic seven-time Mr. Olympia winner, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bodybuilding legend, often referred to as “The Austrian Oak”, took a moment to commend Swoll for his efforts to uplift the fitness community and champion more inclusive gym environments.
The road ahead is steep, as changing entrenched attitudes is never easy. However, with Swoll’s recent candid discussions and his immense following, there’s a tangible hope for a more positive and supportive gym culture.
Watch the full discussion Streaming here:
Overview
Joey Swoll’s journey reflects his battle with drug addiction, transformation, and advocacy for a more positive gym culture. His raw revelations about mental health, the allure of social media, and personal redemption shed light on the complex world of modern fitness. Amidst these struggles, Swoll’s efforts find validation from Arnold Schwarzenegger, offering hope for a brighter fitness community.
Featured Image @Flex Lewis Dragon’s Lair (YouTube), @joeyswoll (Instagram)
